Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has reiterated his pledge to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, arguing that the policy would make fuel more affordable and ease the financial burden on Nigerians.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), restated his position in a post on X on Monday, accompanied by a campaign video outlining his proposed approach to fuel subsidy.

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“My position stands! I will restore subsidy to make life easier and more affordable for Nigerians,” the former vice-president wrote.

In the video, a female narrator said petrol was selling for more than ₦1,300 per litre in Nigeria and compared the country’s fuel prices with those in other crude oil-producing nations, including Libya, Iran, Venezuela, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

The narrator explained that Atiku’s proposed intervention would be restricted to supporting petrol produced by local refineries rather than imported fuel.

The video also quoted the ADC candidate as reaffirming his commitment to the policy.

“My position has not changed and will not change. I will restore it,” Atiku said.

According to the campaign message, the proposed arrangement would provide support for domestic refining until the industry becomes capable of operating without government assistance.

Atiku’s latest declaration comes amid continued debate over the removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration in May 2023.

Tinubu announced the removal during his inauguration, arguing that the government could no longer sustain the rising cost of the subsidy and would redirect the resulting savings towards infrastructure, education, healthcare and job creation.

However, Atiku has repeatedly criticised the impact of the policy on households and businesses, making subsidy restoration a central part of his economic promises ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

At the ADC presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto on November 4, he also pledged to restore petrol subsidy, reopen the country’s land borders for legitimate trade and tackle insecurity if elected.

The presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s timetable.

Atiku secured the ADC presidential ticket in May for his seventh attempt to become Nigeria’s president.

His candidacy, however, faces a legal challenge following a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja on November 5, which nullified his nomination alongside decisions taken by the party’s David Mark-led leadership.

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The ADC has appealed the judgment and applied for a stay of execution, leaving the party’s leadership and nomination dispute subject to further legal proceedings.